Fire Safety

Fires can start and spread quickly, which is why we all need to be careful and educated when it comes to fire safety.

Below are fire safety videos and tips to keep you and your family safe.

Fire Safety Video 1

Fire Safety Video 2

Before a Fire/Emergency

Know the locations of fire alarm pull stations in your area and how to work them.

Know the locations of two exits from your area.

When you hear the fire alarm, immediately evacuate the building in an orderly manner.

Locate areas of rescue assistance which have been designated by the fire department for wheelchair users and others with disabilities. The fire department will check those areas first when an emergency exists.

If you need special assistance during an evacuation, please contact your Building or Emergency Coordinator beforehand. If you need the name of your Building Coordinator, call ISU Public Safety at 2515.

If There's a Fire

SOUND THE ALARM.If you discover or suspect a fire, sound the building fire alarm (the alarm does not call the fire department). If there is no alarm in the building, warn the other occupants by knocking on doors and shouting as you leave.

LEAVE THE BUILDING.Try to rescue others only if you can do so safely. Move away from the building and out of the way of the fire department. Don't go back into the building until the fire department says it is safe to do so.

CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.Dial 911 or use an "emergency" phone. Give as much information as possible to the emergency dispatcher. Call 2515 to report the location to Public Safety.

To Survive a Building Fire

CRAWL IF THERE'S SMOKE.If you get caught in smoke, get down and crawl. Cleaner, cooler air will be near the floor. Get Low - And Go.

FEEL DOORS BEFORE OPENING.Before opening any doors, feel the metal knob. If it is hot, don't open the door. If it is cool, brace yourself against the door, open it slightly, and if heat or heavy smoke are present, close the door and stay in the room.

GO TO THE NEAREST EXIT OR STAIRWAY.If the nearest exit is blocked by fire, heat, or smoke, go to another exit.

ALWAYS USE AN EXIT STAIR, NOT AN ELEVATOR!Elevator shafts may fill with smoke or the power may fail, leaving you trapped. Stairway fire doors will keep out fire and smoke -- if they are closed -- and will protect you until you get outside.

Close as many doors as possible as you leave. This helps to confine the fire.

TOTAL AND IMMEDIATE EVACUATION IS SAFEST.Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is very small and you know how to do it safely. If you can't put out the fire, leave immediately. Make sure the fire department and ISU Public Safety are called -- even if you think the fire is out.

If You Get Trapped

KEEP THE DOORS CLOSED.Seal cracks and vents if smoke comes in. If you're trapped in a room and there's no smoke outside, open the windows -- from the top to let out the heat and smoke and from the bottom to let in fresh air.

SIGNAL FOR HELP.Hang an object at the window (a bed sheet, jacket, shirt) to attract the fire department's attention. If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department and report that you are trapped. Be sure to give your room number and location.

SOMETIMES IT'S SAFER TO STAY IN PLACE! If all exits from a floor are blocked, go back to your room, close the door, seal cracks, open the windows if safe, wave something at the window, and shout or phone for help. DON'T JUMP! THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL RESCUE YOU.

Help Eliminate Campus Fire Hazards

ELECTRICAL ABUSE.Use of electrical "octopuses" to obtain more outlets can result in overloaded circuits and fire -- replace damaged wires -- match your appliance power requirements to the circuit power --appliance power (watts) = the approximate power (amps) being used.110 (volts)Most electrical circuits only supply 15 or 20 amps per room for all the outlets.

APPLIANCES.Hotplates, percolators, irons, space heaters, etc. should never be left unattended. They should be unplugged after use and not stored until they are cool enough to touch. Also, appliances may overload circuits -- keep heaters away from curtains and furniture -- match the size of an extension cord to the appliance power cord to prevent cord overheating.

OPEN FLAMES.Smoking, lighted candles, burning incense, or the ignition of other flammable materials in housing units and other campus buildings is prohibited.

HAZARDOUS STORAGE/FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS.Dangerous chemicals, including gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, etc. are not permitted in University housing as they constitute a serious fire hazard.

OBSTACLES.Storage of bicycles, chairs, desks, and other items is prohibited in all exit ways. Blocked exits have caused "chain reaction" pile ups of fallen people during emergencies.

Protect Yourself

PARTICIPATE IN FIRE DRILLS.Fire evacuation procedures are posted. Please, for your safety and the safety of others, familiarize yourself with them and follow them. Fire drills will be held regularly using the following scheme: you will be talked and walked through a fire drill. One announced drill will be conducted, after which an unannounced drill will be held. If the unannounced drill is satisfactory that is all the drills that will be held that semester. If it is unsatisfactory, more drills will be conducted until a satisfactory drill is done.

Exercise extreme caution with matches and cigarettes.

Obey all publicized and common sense fire safety rules.

Do not, under any circumstances, tamper with fire safety equipment, fire extinguishers, or fire alarms. Any resident caught doing so may be suspended from University housing and prosecuted through civil authorities.

Learn where other exits are -- now.

If You Are Disabled

If you are disabled (even temporarily), you should do the following:

Learn about fire safety.

Plan ahead for fire emergencies.

Be aware of your own capabilities and limitations.

Evacuation of Disabled Persons

Evacuation may not be necessary or advisable. If persons with disabilities cannot be transported from the building without using an elevator, assist persons with disabilities to the designated "Persons With Disabilities Rescue Area" on each floor of the building. Never use an elevator in a fire or earthquake. Be prepared to notify rescue personnel immediately upon their arrival of the location of any persons with disabilities in such rescue areas. Use the buddy system, if necessary.

If immediate evacuation is necessary, be aware of the following considerations:

a. Non-Ambulatory Persons

Wheelchairs have many moving parts, some are not designed to withstand stress or lifting.

You may need to remove the chair batteries. Life support equipment may be attached.

In a life-threatening emergency it may be necessary to remove an individual from their wheelchair. Lifting a person with minimal ability to move may be dangerous.

If necessary, two or three individuals may carry non-ambulatory persons from the building.

Wheelchairs should not be used to descend stairwells, if at all possible.

Non-ambulatory persons may have respiratory complications. Remove them from smoke or fumes immediately and determine their needs and preferences.

Whether a seat cushion or pad should be brought along if the wheelchair is being left behind.

In lieu of a wheelchair, does the person prefer a stretcher, chair with cushion/aid, or car seat?

Is paramedic assistance necessary?

Always consult with the person in the chair regarding how best to assist them.

b. Visually Impaired Persons

Most visually impaired persons will be familiar with their immediate surroundings. In an emergency situation:

Describe the nature of the emergency and offer to act as a "sighted guide" - offer your elbow and escort him/her to a safe place.

As you walk, describe where you are and advise of any obstacles.

When you have reached safety, orient the person as to where you are and ask if further assistance is needed.

c. Hearing Impaired Persons

Because persons with impaired hearing may not perceive emergency alarms, an alternative warning technique is required. Two methods of warning:

Write a note describing the emergency and the nearest evacuation route ("Fire. Go out rear door to the right and down, NOW!").

Turn the light switch off and on to gain attention, then indicate through gestures what is happening and what to do.

If You Use Drugs or Alcohol

You are especially vulnerable to smoke asphyxiation. Even young healthy people may not be able to escape a fire if they are intoxicated. They may not hear the smoke alarm or be able to find an exit. Take special care of anyone who becomes intoxicated, particularly if the person is a smoker. Let the fire department know if you think someone hasn't evacuated the building.

Report Damaged Fire Equipment

Fire Doors - Should close completely and automatically.

Exit Signs - Two exits should be visible from all public areas.

Fire Alarms - Horns, bells, and pull stations should be accessible and not vandalized.

Smoke Detectors - Keep them clear so they can detect smoke when you are asleep, and wake you in time to get out.

Fire Extinguishers - Report empty or vandalized extinguishers

For more information on campus fire safety, contact Public Safety at 282-2515. To report any deficiencies contact Maintenance and Operations @ 282-4086, or place a work order on line at: www.isu.edu/departments/phyplant/workord.shtml